"An estimated one in three Americans suffers from seasonal or year-round allergies caused by pollen, mold, insects, dust mites and other common irritants," according to CBS News. Allergy shots are a serious of injections of a particular allergen over the course of five years, according to Kidshealth.org. Once an allergen is identified, the allergist will administer a shot on a weekly basis with a small, purified amount of the allergen. Over time the amount of the allergen is increased, causing the individual's immune system to become desensitized to the allergen. In the end, the person's allergy will be significantly decreased or completely cured, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).
Spend Less Money
CBS News reports that the average person spends $1,200 on allergy-related medications. Allergy shots can greatly reduce a person's need to take allergy medications or eliminate the need altogether. Aside form purchasing allergy medication, a person that suffers from hay fever or other severe allergies could potentially miss work, resulting in less pay or loss of her job.
Decrease the Chance of Asthma
Children who get allergy shots are 50 percent more likely to not develop asthma, according to Kidshealth.org. There is a correlation between allergies and asthma and allergy shots have the potential to help both.
Reduce Symptoms
Although allergy shots are a slow process, a person will experience a decrease in his symptoms while participating in the treatment. Unlike taking antihistamines or other allergy-related drugs, the reduction in symptoms is a semi-permanent condition as opposed to temporary relief from drugs, according to the AAFP.
Prevent Other Allergy Development
Allergy shots may prevent the development of other reactions to allergens later in life, according to Kidshealth.org. The allergy shots help teach the immune system to react normally to certain allergens, which helps the system to not overreact to other potential allergens. For example, if someone is treated for a pollen allergy, the immunotherapy may prevent the person from developing a mold allergy.
Lifetime Cure
After completing the entire course of allergy shots, a person can be completely cured of that particular allergen, according to CBS News. Allergy shots slowly condition the immune system to accept the substance instead of warding it off with antibodies and histamine. At the completion of the allergy shot treatment, the immune system should be desensitized enough where it does not react to the particular allergen any longer. If allergic reactions re-appear later in life, a shorter time frame of allergy shots can be administered.
